The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-07-25

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them are unsound, erroneous aud false.
In this contest we should read the
| literature and hear the speeches on
both sides because if we form our
judgment without first having fully
examined and deliberately considered
all of the sides and phases OF this qucs-
ton we are very liable to err, which
no honest and patriotic citizen wishes
to do.
4th. And there is still another class
who having arrived at and formed in
considerable conclusions and wrong
opinions though afterwards being full
ly persuaded that they are wrong, still
hold to and act rpon these erroneous
conclusions and opinions for the sole
reason that they are ashamed to ack-
nowlcdge they were in the wrong. This
is naught but false pride and s'a-
wish fear of public opinion. 1t is
true bravery, when we have discov-
cred our errors, to frankly acknowl-
edge and promptly correct them.
There is another fact which | would
like to mention before proceeding
further, and its development in this
country is a hopeful, earnest and a
cheering prognosiic of the perpetuity
Of our free institutions and this fact
is the general discussion of public
matters before and by the people.
No people ever became or remained
free who did not constantly engage in
io.nt and public discussion, it is the
potent and sure discovercr. devel-
oper and preserver Of truth. 1t is
bv virtue of the earthquake shocks
of genius and wisdom. and the con-
vulsive soul-wars Of humanity, that
the brightest and most precious truth
Jewels have been christalized which
being gathered up and polished by
the hand of philosophy and placed III
freedoms casket are used as the price
less treasures of the present and
transmitted to future generations as
the incorruptable inheritance of pos
terity
Humanity is indepted to free,
open, equal and public discussion for
all the fundamental safeguards of
freedom. Truth scorns concealment,
courts investigation and braves every
opposition, while error seeks TO ac-
complish its purposes under cover
and byimcans OF stratagems and re-
fuses to SILVER lance in the open
field of fair and honorable
warfare, truth writes her
principles across the heavens in char
acters OF living startire, while error, as
the primal deceivcr seeks to influence
her victims by whispering deadly
fallacies in their ears. We, who favor
the adoption of this amendment, feel
ing in our OWE hearts and being pur-
suaGed in our minds that our cause is
based upon and rooted in truth, JUS
tice, liberty and humanity, cast the
gauntlet at the feet of the opposition,
and desires nothing but a fair, equa',
and unclouded contest. Like Ajax
Telemen we cry: ''Dispell these clouds
the light of heaven restore. Give me
TO sec and Ajax asks no more The
people generally desire that this ques-
ton he fully, thoroughly, and jointly
discussed before them they desire
TO know the whole truth involved in
this issue, but the present indications
are that the organized portion Of the
opposition, that is tho leaders and
managers are somewhat averse to
Joint discussion, and it is said that in
structions to this effect have been is
sued anu sent out by them, and most
of their best and leading speakers OBJ
ject to division of time and refuse
TO engage in joint discussions.
Now, why is this? They claim to
have the ablest debaters and the finest
talent in the state. Is this their claim
unfounded or is their cause unjust?
Before associating ourselves with
any party or organization, we should
understand its history and
its source, and we should
inquire into and become ac-
quainted with the causes and persons
that produced and called it into being,
in order more clearly to arrive ut the
principles OF that party or organiAa-
ton.
Let us briefly notice those who are
in favor of the amendment and their
organization. There has heretofore
existed and now exists in this state
regular state and national organiza-
ton known as the prohibition party,
which has had for sometime and now
has regular executive committee and
all the indications of a regular party
organization. This party as a party
has always been very small numerical
ly in this state, but irrespective out
side, and independent OF this and all
other parties, there has been a con-
tinuous and gradual growth among
the people of Texas that the saloons
were a most terribly nuisance, and
incubus upon our own people and
a growing, eating and life destroying